One of the happiest days of my life just occurred. The birth of Mayumi Aziza, our first grandchild, took place in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 2008. At 3:01 pm, our lives changed forever. Her birth is a continuation of all who have come before in our family, and the beginning of many others who have yet to arrive. Contrary to what one might think, I do not feel older; I feel younger. Her birth reminds me of the feelings I had the on the days each of our five children were born. I was younger then, but I am young still. Now comes a flood of happiness and joy, and anticipation of all that can be dreamed of. A first step, a first word, a first everything in a long procession of ‘firsts’ that will be added, linked one to another, as in a delicate chain. Each link eagerly awaited and equally cherished. A clean, new page in the book of life to be written upon by all who will know Mayumi, and by Mayumi herself. I am young again waiting for the moment I will first meet her and anxious to see all that she will do and all that she will become.
There will be birthday parties and bedtime stories, skinned knees and monsters in the closet. I see a tricycle with a basket, a baby doll, or perhaps, a baseball glove and bat. It’s all good. Then there will be boys. Having gone through this with my own daughters, and having been one myself (i.e. a boy), I feel somewhat qualified to advise her father in the matter of boys. He should engage each caller in polite conversation. I particularly enjoyed word games with my daughters’ boyfriends, like, “What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say, ‘Glock’?” Or, another favorite was, “I’ll name three things and you tell me which one doesn’t belong. 1) web strike, 2)groin kick, or 3)brachial plexus stun.” “Oh, you’re right, they do all seem to belong together”. Trick question, I guess. Smart boy. There are others, more direct, that hopefully won’t ever need to be employed. But they’re available.
Of course, I’m way ahead of myself. My main purpose in her life will be to explain why she can have all the ice cream she wants when she’s with me, but not with her parents. Other more weighty matters are best left to the watchful eyes and loving judgment of her parents. But, I hope she will know that grandpa will always be performing reconnaissance and running black ops in the background, keeping the monsters out of the closets. Sleep tight, Mayumi. I love you.
There will be birthday parties and bedtime stories, skinned knees and monsters in the closet. I see a tricycle with a basket, a baby doll, or perhaps, a baseball glove and bat. It’s all good. Then there will be boys. Having gone through this with my own daughters, and having been one myself (i.e. a boy), I feel somewhat qualified to advise her father in the matter of boys. He should engage each caller in polite conversation. I particularly enjoyed word games with my daughters’ boyfriends, like, “What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say, ‘Glock’?” Or, another favorite was, “I’ll name three things and you tell me which one doesn’t belong. 1) web strike, 2)groin kick, or 3)brachial plexus stun.” “Oh, you’re right, they do all seem to belong together”. Trick question, I guess. Smart boy. There are others, more direct, that hopefully won’t ever need to be employed. But they’re available.
Of course, I’m way ahead of myself. My main purpose in her life will be to explain why she can have all the ice cream she wants when she’s with me, but not with her parents. Other more weighty matters are best left to the watchful eyes and loving judgment of her parents. But, I hope she will know that grandpa will always be performing reconnaissance and running black ops in the background, keeping the monsters out of the closets. Sleep tight, Mayumi. I love you.
